Dark Shadows engulf WASD regarding transparency…again

Photo: Union County Magistrate Judge & WASD solicitor Jeff Rowe (left)
Darrick Dixon (middle) and WASD solicitor Fred Holland (right)
The following is the result of a nearly 33-months long investigation

into the Williamsport Area High School Baseball Team trip
to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in the spring of 2018.

This story is graphic and contains details related to multiple indecent sexual assaults.

The author and editor of this story have made the editorial decision to not publish the names of the individuals under the age of 18 at the time of the incident who have been clearly identified as committing these acts in this case they were recently formally charged with a crime in South Carolina.

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball

IF NOTHING HAPPENED IN MYRTLE BEACH

WHY WON’T THE WASD TELL US THE STORY?

PART XXIX –

Rowe says “not getting a response; is our response:”; Dixon provides legal advice for WASD.

By Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

On Monday morning an attempt was made by this author to clarify the role of current WASD solicitor and Union County Magistrate Judge Jeff Rowe in the Right to Know Law responses at his Union County Courthouse office.

Having previously been advised by Rowe, by phone to contact his office at Murphy, Butterfield and Holland and being unsuccessful; it only seemed right to give him an opportunity to defend his actions, in-person.

Earlier today, Rowe was presented with the fact that WASD Right-to-Know Law responses include his name.

At that point, this author identified himself and the reason for being there; Rowe interrupted and said, “you are not to be doing this here; these are separate matters.”

He added; “as I said before; you need to contact my other office.” 

Author: “I have called and emailed your office as you asked me to; and no one has responded.”

Rowe responded;

“If you are not getting a response; that is our response.”

Can you imaging how any party (person) appearing in the courtroom of Union County Magistrate Judge Jeff Rowe would be treated if they responded to him like that?

Is it any wonder a Union County Sheriff’s unit followed the vehicle of this author back to Route 15 in departing the Union County Courthouse; or is it just a coincidence?

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This is the same behavior that has been going on during this entire case, From Part III

On Wednesday July 31, 2019 at 3:20 PM a follow-up email is sent (by this author):

Fred (Holland): It would be my understanding that your client has declined the invitation for you to speak with me in regard to the documents provided so far.

Correct?

On Wednesday July 31, 2019, Holland responds at 3:32 PM in an e-mail copied to WASD Superintendent Timothy Bowers, WASD Open Records Officer Wanda Erb and WASD Attorney Jeff Rowe:

Todd, My client has not authorized me to speak further with you.

Fred,

Fred A. Holland , Murphy, Butterfield, & Holland, P.C.

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Current WASD legal counsel and Union County Magistrate Judge Jeff Rowe may have reason for concern based on the legal services invoices obtained by TalkWilliamsport.com.

In the days leading up to the publication of Millionaire mayhem; WASD Solicitor Fred Holland on August 21, 2018 billed the WASD for 1.80 hours and a total of $270 for “Attendance at meeting; Email R Poole; Telephone conference with and email re: Bartley report.”

The meeting attended was the WASD school board meeting; where members Lori A. Baer, Brette C. Confair, Patrick A. Dixon, Jennifer Lake, Jane L. Penman, Marc D. Schefsky, Nancy Somers and Adam C. Welteroth were all present.

Holland took part in allowing the WASD school board to appoint non-WASD resident Doreen Stafford to fill the vacancy which occurred when Spencer Sweeting unexpectedly resigned.

President Baer and Vice-President Penman recommended Doreen Stafford to fill the board vacancy.

A motion was made by Dr. Somers, and seconded by Mr. Dixon, to appoint Doreen Stafford to fill the vacancy
created by Spencer Sweeting’s resignation. The motion carried unanimously.

The non-residency issue recently popped up in the WASD with “Lycoming County District Attorney office confirms receipt of Marc Schefsky non-WASD residency complaint.”

Stafford later resigned for WASD non-residency reasons and Barbara Reeves was nominated and replaced her. Reeves is currently up for reelection in the primary this May.

Schefsky recently officially resigned from the WASD school board.

It was also the same meeting where Dr. Richard Poole, Director of Student Services, was recommended and approved as the WASD Safety and Security Coordinator.

From the Board meeting minutes of August 21, 2018:

A. Dr. Richard Poole, Director of Student Services, gave a brief overview of Act 44 of 2018.
Every school district must appoint an administrator as the District’s Safety and Security Coordinator.

Dr. Bowers is recommending Dr. Poole to fill this appointment.

Motion made by Mr. Dixon, seconded by Dr. Penman, to approve Dr. Poole as the District’s Safety
and Security Coordinator, to approve the minutes, agenda and both addendums.

_____________________________________

The next day, August 22, 2018, WASD Solicitor Fred Holland billed the WASD for 0.30 hours and a total of $45.00 for a “Telephone conference with Wanda (Erb) re: RTK request.

The same day, attorney Jeff Rowe billed the WASD for 0.40 hours and a total of $60.00 for:

“Internet search re: defamation claim against T. Bartley”

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Why is attorney Jeff Rowe researching a “defamation claim” that has nothing to do with a simple Right to Know Law request of the WASD?

As WASD taxpayers consider these indisputable facts; solicitors are only able to act upon instructions from their clients including the WASD school board or administration.

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On August 23, 2018, WASD Solicitor Fred Holland billed the WASD for 0.40 hours and a total of $60.00 for a “Telephone conference with Tim Bowers (WASD Superintendent); E-mail to T. Bartley.”

The same day, attorney Jeff Rowe billed the WASD for 0.20 hours and a total of $30.00 for:

“Internet search; E-mail to FAH.”

_____________________________________

On August 24, 2018, WASD Solicitor Fred Holland billed the WASD 0.30 hours and a total of $45.00 for:

E-Mail R Poole; review of contract.” 

Holland billed the WASD for 0.40 hours and a total of $60.00 for:

“Read article; E-mails with client.”

_____________________________________

The “Read article” referred to by WASD Solicitor Fred Holland is Millionaire Baseball Mayhem in Myrtle Beach.

_____________________________________

From Part III

On August 24, 2018, at 9:34 a.m. the same date as the “Millionaire Mayhem” story was published, Darrick Dixon reached out through social media to the family of JOHN DOE #1 offering his help with the case.

He then referred the family of JOHN DOE #1 to an attorney in Philadelphia and told the family to tell the attorney “Tye sent them.” Tye is one of many aliases as well as fake social media profile names used by Dixon.

Dixon offered the name of an attorney in the Philadelphia area, Roland Jarvis, Sr. was contacted on August 27, 2018 by the family of JOHN DOE #1.

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What is interesting to note on the invoice as “Retainer Services” from August 27, 2018:

On August 27, 2018, WASD Solicitor Fred Holland billed the WASD 1.0 hours and a total of $150.00 for:

“Attendance at meeting – tax office“, whether that meeting pertained to this author may be answered in WASD Right-to-Know Law responses due in the near future.

On the same day, Holland billed the WASD for 0.30 hours and a total of $45.000 for:

“E-mails, Telephone conference with Atty Silver re: defamation issue.”

 

Contacted by phone, Attorney Steve Silver who previously represented Darrick Dixon in a civil case against this author and other defendants, confirmed “someone from the school reached out about the case.”

Silver added; “I told them, it’s on the docket and that’s all I am prepared to say about it.”

Currently practicing law in another state, Silver moved away from Pennsylvania in 2017. Silver still writes articles for national sports publications on occasion and is an avid sports fan.

_____________________________________

On August 30, 2018, WASD Solicitor Fred Holland billed the WASD for 0.20 hours and a total of $30.00 for:

“E-mail Tim Bowers.”

_____________________________________

Makes you wonder if that email contained the bad news of the Dixon case outcome; maybe not what the WASD and its leadership was hoping for?

Did WASD School Board president Lori Baer, her fellow board members and Superintendent Dr. Timothy Bowers take the word of Darrick Dixon about how much money he won in civil litigation against this author?

Maybe you should ask Dixon to show you the check.

You know, the one Dixon would have to cash with his Real ID.

Everyone already knows, Dixon won nothing.

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Back to Part III:

As WASD School Board President she (Baer) is in a position to allow Pardoe to conduct his own investigations as well as silence WASD Solicitor Fred Holland.

Previous stories in regard to the incidents in Myrtle Beach have been published by Talk Williamsport then shared to the Facebook page of the radio stations.

A poster made the statement in regard to this author “this man is an asshole!”

Baer subsequently “Liked it” on FACEBOOK.

When reached on Thursday, December 19, 2019 WASD School Board President Lori Baer was asked to comment for this story and the events in Myrtle Beach, she said

“it would be illegal for me to comment due to students rights.”

If nothing happened in Myrtle Beach then why won’t the WASD tell us the story?

Were the students rights President Lori Baer referenced that of JOHN DOE #1 or ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1, VIDEOGRAPHER #1 or other students?

President Lori Baer has no issue with the FERPA exception allowing the publication of student names on the WASD Athletics Website as members of the Baseball team or on related social media pages.

When Baer was asked about the staff and administrators who were on the trip and their actions, she also declined comment citing she could not do to “personnel matters.”

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The overwhelming evidence of obstruction and hiding public records by the Williamsport Area School District is one for the history books.

Instead of answering simple Right-to-Know Law requests; the WASD as referenced in this story and so many like it the past several years used taxpayer funds to target this author and the family of JOHN DOE #1 in the Myrtle Beach case; in order to bury the worst scandal in the history of the district.

Fred Holland, Jeff Rowe and the Murphy, Butterfield & Holland law firm were recently renewed for another school year for services as WASD Solicitor.

There are still aspects of the story to be told.

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

 

LINKS TO THE SERIES PUBLISHED BY Talk Williamsport

AG interviews of Dr. Bowers, Pardoe and Erb confirmed in WASD Legal Services Invoices

How did Pardoe, McCann and Miller all forget the 2018 Myrtle Beach room assignments email?

How did Wanda Erb miss this email on the WASD.org server? – PART II

– A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XXVII

How did Wanda Erb miss this email on the WASD.org server?

– A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XXVI

WAHS Principal Pardoe immediately responded to Ricky Stryker threat raised by Coach Ryan Miller

Marc Schefsky, WASD School Board member announces intention to resign

WASD School Board candidate petitions obtained, connections run deep

WASD School Board to discuss vacant board seat tonight

Lycoming County District Attorney office confirms receipt of Marc Schefsky non-WASD residency complaint

WASD school board removes 2023 Disney band trip from agenda

Residents circulate petition for immediate removal of Marc Schefsky from WASD school board

Nancy Somers resigns from WASD school board

BREAKING NEWS: Resignations to be announced at the WASD School Board meeting tonight

WASD solicitor Fred Holland wants $20,000 retainer and a raise for ’21-’22

UPDATE: WASD acknowledges existence of “room assignments” email, contradicts prior Wanda Erb affidavit

UPDATE: WASD has 48-hour deadline to respond to Right to Know Law requests

WASD School Board major changes are forthcoming

OP-ED: Another Embarrassing Display of Willful Ignorance by the WASD school board

OP-ED: Long past time for Dr. Bowers to resign as WASD Superintendent

BREAKING NEWS: Is the WASD finally acknowledging Myrtle Beach victims with new policy?

Marc Schefsky WASD school board resignation could be the least of his issues

BREAKING NEWS: Marc Schefsky resigning from school board after WASD residency questioned

Residency of WASD School Board member in question

BREAKING NEWS: WAHS student criminally charged by South Carolina authorities in 2018 baseball team incident

UPDATE: Major development in the 2018 WAHS baseball team “criminal sexual misconduct” case

WASD lack of response clock posted

WASD fails to acknowledge “victims” in Myrtle Beach incident; uses death of George Floyd as distraction

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XXV

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XXIV

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XXIII

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XXII

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XXI

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XX

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XIX

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XVIII

BREAKING NEWS: PA AG Press Office confirms receipt of Criminal Sexual Misconduct referral from DA Gardner

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XVII

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XVI

EXCLUSIVE: AG Shapiro press office on referral: “If and when we receive it, it will be promptly reviewed”

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XVII

BREAKING NEWS: PA AG Press Office confirms receipt of Criminal Sexual Misconduct referral from DA Gardner

UPDATE: Charges filed in Greater Latrobe Junior High hazing case cited in “A Baseball Story”

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XVI

EXCLUSIVE: AG Shapiro press office on referral: “If and when we receive it, it will be promptly reviewed”

BREAKING NEWS: District Attorney Gardner refers Myrtle Beach case to PA Attorney General – PART XV

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XIV

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XIII

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XII

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XI

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART X

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART IX

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART VIII

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART VII

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART VI

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART V

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART IV

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART III

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART II

A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART I

Fans often ask me, what if?

Millionaire Baseball Mayhem in Myrtle Beach